title: Characterization and predicted role of the microRNA expression profile in amnion from obese pregnant women.
abstract: Maternal obesity and nutrient excess in utero increase the risk of future metabolic diseases. The mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood, but probably include genetic, epigenetic alterations and changes in fetal nutrient supply. We have studied the microRNA (miRNA) expression profile in amnion from obese and control women at delivery to investigate if a specific miRNA signature is associated with obesity. The expression profile of 365 human miRNAs was evaluated with the TaqMan Array in amnion from 10 obese and 5 control (prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) >30 and <25 kg m(-2), respectively) women at delivery. Target genes and miRNA-regulated pathways were predicted by bioinformatics. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were also measured in mothers and newborns. Seven miRNAs were expressed only in obese women (miR-422b, miR-219, miR-575, miR-523, miR-579, miR-618 and miR-659), whereas 13 miRNAs were expressed at a higher level and 12 miRNAs at a lower level in obese women than in controls. MicroRNAs significantly downregulated the neurotrophin, cancer/ErbB, mammalian target of rapamycin, insulin, adipocytokine, actin cytoskeleton and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. In conclusion, we show that the miRNA profile is altered in amnion during obesity and hypothesize that this could affect pathways important for placental growth and function, thereby contributing to an increase in the newborn's risk of future metabolic diseases.
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nardelli
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iaffaldano
authors.affiliation: CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrigno
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Fondazione SDN-Istituto di Ricerca Diagnostica e Nucleare, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Labruna
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Maruotti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quaglia
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Noto
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze e Scienze Riproduttive ed Odontostomatologiche, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.affiliation: 1] Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy [2] CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate SCa RL, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.affiliation: Laboratori misti, IRCCS Fondazione SDN-CEINGE, CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sacchetti
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000378:metabolism*; D019295:Computational Biology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D009035:Mothers; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D035683:MicroRNAs